French Grand Prix, 1961 Rheims

In theory, this video has a lot stacked against it. Rheims was never the most popular track on the calendar, and Formula 1 fans objected to the 1.5 liter engine requirement imposed for the 1961 season. Even so, this looks a lot more exciting than the current season of F1.

Good film except that it is edited for effect rather than to follow the race. Nice shots of Hill and Ginther in the paddock pre-race, and of Phil spinning his shark nosed Ferrari and then pushing it down the straight. I liked the circuit for its scenery–public roads you can still drive. The shots of it in the film The Racers” are really nice, too, filmed in ’54. Here, Baghetti wins by a nose. MJ